Category Archives: Festivals

Volvo Ocean Race makes Stopover in Newport, RI

The 130,000 sailing spectators who passed through Newport’s Race Village in 2015 were certainly pleased to see the calendar of events for this year’s stopover. This year will deliver the same amount of excitement and fun that we have come to expect! Combining a trip to watch world class sailing and experience the beauty of our “City By the Sea” is the perfect kick off to Spring. Uniquely, this event combines sport and education in a way that is captivating for all ages.

Photo Credit: @bmeyersphoto

Photo Credit: @ainhoasanchezdotcom

Sailing on! What to do, What to do?

Furthermore, will you have time to do it all? The Race Village set up in Fort Adams for the Volvo Ocean Race has something for everyone. Although there is a fee to park your car May 17-20th, there are no additional fees to enter the village.

Interactive exhibits set up by 11th Hour Racing highlight ocean sustainability, the excitement of marine science and sailing recreation. The idea of the Clean Ocean Pledge is reinforced to inspire all of us to save our oceans. After all, what is Newport without the Narragansett Bay? Sail Newport, a local organization, is running a “Try Sailing” program to help everyone learn the ropes.

There is a 65ft replica of the boats these sailors travel on around the world to help us gain perspective on life at sea in tight quarters. After checking out the boatyard to gain knowledge of the work that goes into preparing a boat for a trans-Atlantic race, you can visit the Heineken beer tent, Mount Gay Rum Cafe, or Whispering Angel garden to top off the day.

How do we get there?

As mentioned above, there is no entrance fee to the Race Village. If you arrive in a Volvo, the cost of your parking fee will be covered by Viti Automotive Group. The rest of us are out of luck! Parking during the week is $10 per day, and $20 per day on the weekend. There are numerous bike racks provided free of charge if you’re up to the challenge of jumping on the bikes we have here at the Marshall Slocum Inn, just be sure to bring a lock!

The water taxi service from Newport Harbor to Fort Adams has additional boats in service for this 13 day event. The cost is $12 round trip and a schedule can be found here, Oldport Marine Services.

In-Port Race Day

Photo Credit: @ainhoasanchezdotcom

One of the most exciting events of the stopover will take place on Saturday, May 19th. There are options to watch the race from Fort Adams, the Ocean Race Club, or even to jump aboard the Spectator Boat. Check out the official site here for more information. Wherever you choose to enjoy the race, we hope you take the opportunity to experience this event. It is surely one of the more educational events we see here in Newport, riddled with some good old salty fun!

Fall in Newport, RI

All the little things that locals and tourists look forward to during the Fall in Newport, RI. Pumpkin patches, apple cider, autumn beer, local farmers markets, and Halloween events are all part of the local feel here.

Fall Farmer’s Market

The Newport Aquidneck Grower’s Market happens every Wednesday in Newport right of Memorial Blvd from 2:00pm to 6:00pm. It is not easy to miss because you will see families, dogs, and much more. The music will draw you in and make you want to participate. The farmers market will give you an idea what to expect in Newport. The gourmet tacos, ice cream, and local fish are some of the ideas. 30 vendors and products within 50 miles.

Local Businesses

Norey’s Restaurant is keeping apple ciders from all around the world on tap. Served between 4:00pm to 1:00am everyday except Sunday. The ciders are gluten free and definitely agree with Norey’s that they are “the perfect drink to usher the fall”.

Newport Storm Brewery and Newport Distilling are producing haunted tours at their facilities. “Get Trapped” between 7:00 and 10:oopm for $15.00 on October 27th through October 29th. Of course there will enough fright, craft beer, and themed cocktails for everyone. If you are too scared for the tour, Newport Storm has their fall beer produced at their facility starting on October 14th.

Pumpkin Patch

Trinity Church in Newport are selling pumpkins, which is pet and children friendly. The Trinity Church Pumpkin Patch is open every day through Halloween. Live music on Saturday’s and Sunday’s with refreshments. Popcorn, cider, home-made goodies, and hot & cold drinks are available during the weekend. There are all shapes and sizes of pumpkins to choose. Even mums, decorative cabbages, and gourds will be for sale. This event will be picture perfect for the fall season.

Costume Parade! Get your best outfit together and be on the patch Sunday, October 29th at 1pm!

The summer is almost over, and it is time for the autumn season to arrive in Newport, RI. The downtown shops and restaurants are still lively with activities in Newport. There is the Harvest Fair to attend located at the Bird Sanctuary, the Boat Show, and of course the Seafood Festival. The city has it’s yearly pumpkin pickings, and the ghost tours that you get you into the spirit. Besides the shopping and craving the fall food menus, there is so much to do.

What Autumn Brings to Newport

The Harvest Fair is the chance to bring out the big kid in you and enjoy nature within the same event. There is festive music, food, and of course the wonderful nature trail to appreciate the nature. The trees will be colorful and beautiful also may see a couple of forest creatures.

There can never been enough seafood experience in Newport, RI. The city is surrounded by water providing with exquisite seafood to restaurants. They provide the best raw bars even during the autumn season.

Autumn means the pumpkins are one of the main harvests in the season. There is the Ballard Park event that brings the community to create a wonderful display of pumpkins. They all are uniquely carved, and organized for the best view. There is also the fundraiser at the Trinity Church to bring your own pumpkin home.

Ocean Drive is still one of the top must-dos in Newport even throughout autumn. The leaves will be changing and perfect weather for a picnic or flying a kite.

Ghost Tours bring all around Newport, RI with a spokesperson sharing the history of the city. The history will contain all the hunted stories that happened from the past and myths that may be true.

It may be a little less crowded in Newport during the autumn season, but it doesn’t mean the festival, and activities stop. Put your sweater on and explore new fall experiences in Newport.

Visitors of Newport, RI search for the freshest seafood around including raw bar. There are several places that you can go to satisfy the craving, some local spots and festivals even feature shellfish from the region. Afraid of breaking the bank? Almost every night of the week you can find dollar oysters at one local favorite or another.

Where to Go

Local restaurants such as Benjamin’s, Midtown Oyster Bar, and The Port are known for freshest raw bar.

Midtown Oyster Bar is located right downtown, with a big venue, and a second floor with outside seating. The restaurant maintains a bar on each floor and you may want to stick around for the live band that starts at nine 0’clock. Don’t sleep on their mixology either, their unique cocktail menu can keep you in the same barstool all night.

The Deals

If keeping your vacation affordable is a goal, but you would still like to enjoy the bar scene, Benjamin’s is the place to go. They feature Happy Hour Raw Bar 12-2 pm, $1 oysters and 50 cent clams. Raw bar Tuesday is a twist on same deal, highlighted by $1 shrimp. We recommend checking out the third floor called the “Crow’s Nest,” featuring a rooftop bar with beautiful water views.

Festival

Newport has a yearly Oyster Festival that brings out all the raw bar lovers in town. Local farmers come to together for this exciting event. Newport’s restaurants and chefs also participate and let you try their own unique culinary skills. Lastly, industry experts offer the opportunity to learn about the ecosystem and how to protect it, while slurping down an oyster.

The event is located right at the waterfront at Bowen’s wharf, only steps away from fabulous restaurants and shops. There is nothing better than champagne and oysters to celebrate the city, scenery, and your loved ones.

Newport Jazz Festival is described as the “Meaning of Jazz” since 1954.This famous event originated in Newport, RI and is still a tradition today. It gives the audience the true feel of jazz while start-off musicians perfrom for their first time to large audiences. Such as Clara Ward Singers and Drunkard Singers, who made their first stand in Newport.

After this music explosion from Newport Jazz Festival, it inspired a movie to be filmed dedicated to the music. Bert Stern filmed “Jazz on a Summer’s Day”, a documentary about captures the meaning of rhythms and blues, and rock in 1958. The following year, 60,000 attendees came to the Newport Jazz Festival for all four days to watch these styles of music. Even Louis Armstrong spent his 70th birthday in Newport and sang at the Newport Jazz Festival. The Jazz Festival became so famous that it spread to New York City, and Boston, which is still going on today.

In 1993, President Bill Clinton attended at the 40th Anniversary of Newport Jazz Festival. The famous mansion the Breakers contributed to the music holding the Newport Jazz Festival in 2004. Then finally Fort Adams State Park took the honor of programming the Newport Jazz Festival for its 60th Anniversary for three days. This event has evolved into a focus group towards emerging artists and is still today. Contributing to rising artists and charities, it has been an incredible event.

Besides the amazing history that convinces the crowds to come, but the location is breathtaking and something you cannot miss. Fort Adams State Park is one of the best locations in Newport; it has a perfect view of the bridge along the water of the east passage. It also has sea breeze to keep you cool during the festival when things are warming up.
The 2016 Newport Jazz Festival is held on July 29-31 at the International Tennis Hall of Fame and mostly at Fort Adams. On the first day, there will be a cocktail party at the Horse Shoe Piazza within the International Tennis Hall of Fame. If you would like to attend the preconcert party it is $75 and watch the jazz artists you can reserve seats for prices of $45-$100. There are different sections at the International Tennis Hall of Fame that will determine how much you would like to spend. They are offering beverages, alcohol, and food as well.
The main Newport Jazz Festival will start on July 29, and will remain in this location for the following two days. The general admission tickets will be between $15-$89 depending on what you want included. A two-day admission is $145, which is the most common. If you are a die hard fan of Jazz you can purchase the three-day admission pass for $170.
If you are a picky eater, do not worry because there will be plenty of food choices to choose from. Acacia café food truck, Ben’s Chili Dogs, Del’s Lemonade, Open Season Catering, Thai Jasmine, and much are all vendors attending.

Newport Jazz Festival is the ultimate to celebrate the history of jazz and the true meaning.

A million daffodils are blooming all over the city of Newport, making a big enough impression to have a festival for an entire week. Dog lovers, artists, kids, and adults will have something to participate in the Newport Daffodil Days Festival. Starting on April 16th through April 24th, there will be “daffy” events including bike tours, garden parties, art activities, doggy parade, gorgeous home tours, and more. Even though most of the activities are free, you can purchase a daffy pin to have discounts in the activities and shops throughout Newport.

Cliff Walk at Salve Regina

Opening day will have a ribbon ceremony with games, live music, and a daffy conga line at Bannisters and Bowens Wharves. Meanwhile families can “doodle the daffodils” on a take-home canvas for free at the famous Cliff Walk.

If drawling is not your expertise, there will be a photography workshop at the Cliff Walk within the following day. It will have a significant location at the O’Hare Patio, Salve Regina University. The Newport Photographers’ Guild experts will guide the audience how to take the perfect “Daffodillion” photo, so you can enter the online contest.

Within the same day, dog owners can dress their dogs in the daffiest attire for the Daffy Doggies Parade. It will run through Bannister’s Warf to Queen Anne Square, so they can match the daffodils along the sidewalk. The best daffodil outfits will be awarded when entering the competition. This is one parade that will be a must see.

On April 18th, everyone will have another chance to draw the Daffodils at the Miantonomi Park while the Hot Diggity Daffy Dog Barbeque takes place. The Pell School is also contributing the daffy art by the Chalk-A-Lot Of Daffys event on April 19th. This event is welcoming to create sidewalk canvases of the schools’ daffodil gardens.

If you didn’t hear enough music at the earlier events, the famous Christopher Carbone will be sharing musical stories on April 20th. It will be among the daffodils at the Redwood Library, where families can participate in fun games, and win prizes.

On April 21st, Newport Tree Society is having an annual Spring Fling at the Chanler on the Cliff Walk. You can bring your daffy derbies, and wear your most attractive hats for a prize. There will a big toast among the thousands of daffodils. This is the time to dress up and listen to the amazing live music that will be playing.

Even the Newport’s Mayor is going to join the festival by a tree planting on April 22nd. He will be honoring Earth Day and celebrating Newport 15 annual year of being a Tree City. Afterwards, you can bring children to a tree climbing demo with Carlie Ridolph. It is also a perfect time to go on a tree walk to see more of the daffodils at the Miantonomi Park.

On April 23rd, there will finally be private garden tours of the daffodils at the hillside with more than 150,000 bulbs planted on the corner of Catherine and Gibbs Avenue. Of course the Newport Vineyards is having a toast for almost 500,000 daffodils in bloom. You can join their wine tasting and food sampling.

During the day, bike tours will begin at the Touro and go all through Newport. You must not forget to stop at Ballard Park for “Bouquet Bar”, where you can purchase spring flowers. Families can also enjoy nature with a tree walk to see Woodsy the Owl.

The last day, April 24th will end with private house tours of the beautiful homes. Their gardens filled with beautiful daffodils. On top of the tours there will be antique cars at some of the houses. Some of the classical cars will be driven along the Long Warf, Ocean Drive, and Bellevue Avenue. The festival will have a final garden party with live music and ballet at the Bellevue House with a cash bar.

There is a little something to do for everyone in this daffy festival. You would not want to miss it.

Summer is a busy time for music in Newport, with the highlights being Folk Fest the last weekend in July and Jazz Fest the first weekend in August. But what about the few days in between these two giant music festivals? Well that is what BridgeFest is for: to “bridge the gap” between these two festivals in order to keep the music going for ten full days. It starts on July 27th and goes through July 30th with over 50 artists at more than nine venues.

BridgeFest was created by the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County in order to give visitors a reason to stay and locals a reason to get out and enjoy some local music. They work with the Newport Festival Foundations to support the local music scene in Newport. BridgeFest hosts all types of musicians, aspiring music students, emerging artists, galleries, wineries, farms and restaurants. This is the 7th year of the festival.

Some of this years festival locations include: Queen Anne Square, Jimmy’s Saloon, Bowen’s Wharf, Trinity Church, St. Matthews in Jamestown, and the Redwood Library. There will be an opening night Soiree held on the 27th to kick things off. It goes from 6pm to 8pm at the Sanford-Covell Marina on Washington Street. ZanRicky will be playing and the Rhode Islands Ballet Theater will be putting on a dance performance. This event will also feature a silent auction, a raffle, wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres.

To check out whose playing and when, click here. Keep the music going and support your local musicians!

As Newport heads into the Summer Season, take advantage of the many festivals that June has to offer.

The Great Chowder Cook-Off: Despite the location change, the Great Chowder Cook-Off is back to kick off the summer season here in Newport. It will be held on June 6th at Fort Adams State Park, with endless chowder samples, live music and activities.

British Motorcar Festival: Held at Colt State Park in Bristol, from June 12th-14th, this three day festival showcases over 300 vintage British Motorcars. There will be a variety of events taking place all weekend such as the British Car Corral, a Friday Night Street Party, The British Racing Paddock, Motorcar Display, The Concours D’Elegance (the only one in the United States), a Ladies Hat Competition, and a Sunday Morning Drive.

Newport Flower Show: Celebrating it’s 20th year, the Newport Flower Show held at Rosecliff from June 19th-21st, will be showcasing the American Beauty Rose. Rosecliff was the birthplace of the American Beauty Rose and it is now a symbol of excellence. The weekend will be filled with a variety of events and special guests celebrating this classic and timeless flower.

Clayfest on the Lawn at Rough Point: Rough Point and the Newport Art Museum will be celebrate the art of clay with their exhibition of: “Fired and Inspired: Ceramics at Rough Point,” on June 27th. Enjoy a day full of pinching, coiling, throwing and firing clay while relaxing on the lawn at Rough Point.

Back for it’s fourth year, the Newport Craft Beer Festival will be taking place over two days, May 8th and 9th. Co-Sponsored by the Newport Storm Brewery and Pour Judgement Bar & Grille, this 21+ event will feature beers from 35 craft breweries. There are three sessions to choose from, starting Friday, May 8th from 8-10pm. This session is on a much smaller scale from those on Saturday, with only 75 tickets available. Named the VIB (Very Important Beers) event, this session will be held at the Newport Storm Brewery and will features beers not available at the larger sessions on Saturday.

There are two sessions on Saturday, one from 12pm-3pm and the other from 4pm-7pm. Both will be held downtown at the Great Friends Meeting Place. These sessions will showcase craft breweries from around the country. Unlimited beer samples are included with the ticket price, as well as a souvenir glass. Brewery staffs will be on hand to answer any questions you might have about their beers. The festival will feature a special area exclusive for Rhode Island beers. While at the festival, guests can participate in choosing their favorites by voting for the “Fan Favorite Award.”

Local Restaurants will be serving up food while live bands perform during each session. The Festival proceeds benefit the Rhode Island Brewers Guild, which is a non-profit organization supporting local craft breweries.

For more information and to purchase tickets, check out the craft beer festival website here.

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October is one of my favorite months in Newport, because while the temperatures are lowering, there’s still so much to do. Every weekend in October is filled with fairs and festivals of all sorts, celebrating food, fun and the outdoors. Here’s a list of what’ll be going on around town.

Norman Bird Sanctuary 40th Annual Harvest Fair: This year’s Harvest Fair will be held on October 4th and 5th right on the grounds of the Norman Bird Sanctuary. There will be a variety of activities and entertainment such as the Mabel Express Barrel Train, Monkey Bridge, mud pit and midway, pony rides, music, crafters from around New England and plenty of food. There will also be a variety of competitions to see who has the best single fruit and vegetable, most unusual vegetable, jack-o-lantern, best fresh flower arrangement and more.

International Oktoberfest: This year’s Oktoberfest will take place on October 11th and 12th down at the Newport Yachting Center. It’s known as the waterfronts “official sendoff to summer” and includes the sights, sounds and tastes of Bavaria. A variety of seasonal beers and German cuisine will be available along with music all day long. There will be three Biergartens this year and plenty of space to enjoy a nice beer… or six

Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival: The seafood festival will be held October 18th and 19th. This festival honors the “harvest of the sea” and includes a variety of delicious seafood options from many of Newport’s great restaurants. Seafood such as clam chowder, stuffies, lobster dinners, oysters and more can be enjoyed on the waterfront and will be accompanied by live music both days from 11am until 5pm.

Third Annual Newport Food Truck Festival: From 11am to 4pm on Saturday, October 25th, more than 20 of New England’s best food trucks will be serving up great eats at the Newport Yachting Center. There will be live music and drinks to accompany the wide array of choices from BBQ to seafood to ice cream sandwiches.